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While some wedding expenses can’t be avoided, getting creative with wedding décor can lower your overall budget. Here are four (4) DIY thrifted wedding centerpieces, they’ll add a loving, homemade touch to every table and tie the room together beautifully.
Weddings are milestone events that are remembered forever. They’re one of the only times in life where so many loved ones will be at the same place at the same time, and that calls for a major celebration.
Three-tiered candle holders
Good things come in threes, and candles are no exception. If simple elegance is your style, consider the three-tiered candle centerpiece. The trick is that all the candles must be slightly different heights. Mix and match thrifted glasses to achieve a beautiful result. Just be sure that each table is set is the same style of glass – for example, thin and clear, frosty, or heavy crystal.
Theme and variations: For a rustic-themed wedding, consider adding a wood slice base underneath the candles. Here are DIY instructions on how to make wood slice bases. For a glam-themed wedding, consider studding the base of each candleholder with beads and jewels. Score secondhand packs of jewelry at Goodwill to reuse the materials and save money.
Goodwill finds: Glass or crystal candlesticks, candle holders and beads
Lanterns
Lanterns are another centerpiece concept that can be thrifted and taken in many creative directions. Unlike the three-tiered candles, each table only has one lantern, and every lantern is one-of-a-kind. So, if every table’s lantern is unique, what ties the room together?
By having a unified floral and lighting theme across your tables, the lantern becomes a unique detail within a bigger, cohesive picture. You can feature flowers within each lantern, illuminated by a string of lights surrounding the base, or place a single candle in each lantern, surrounded by a floral wreath.
Check out this DIY tutorial and spray paint your lanterns the same color for even more uniformity across your tables.
Tip: It might take a few trips to Goodwill to source enough lanterns for this centerpiece concept, depending on how many tables you have. If you live in an area with multiple thrift stores, frequent each location. Don’t forget that home décor bird cages and metal cutout candle holders also qualify as lanterns for this centerpiece idea.
Goodwill finds: Lanterns, bird cages, wired décor
Glass bowls
The wide-mouthed glass bowl is to centerpieces what the little black dress is to fashion. There are many gorgeous variations of it, and here are two of our favorites.
Desert flower: This centerpiece has a clean design that works well for weddings featuring neutral color palettes and natural elements. It consists of three glass bowls featuring flowerheads buried in sand, and one smaller bowl with a nested tea candle. The centerpiece’s wow-factor comes from the vibrancy of the few precious flowers used, each a delightful pop of color. Fill each bowl with sand and a bit of water and cut each flowerhead with enough stalk left to reach the water at the bottom of the bowl. This last step will keep your flowers fresh all night.
Floating flower: The floating flower is a single-bowl centerpiece concept featuring two floating roses, a single floating candle and a seabed of pearls. Add candles around the bowl for a luminating effect as well as a circular mirror base underneath each bowl to bring depth to your display. As the seabed holds many ancient treasures, it’s fitting to use thrifted jewelry to line the bottom of your bowls! Have fun venturing beyond pearls and look for jewelry that is translucent, reflective, shimmery and glitzy for a magical effect.
Floating flower: The floating flower is a single-bowl centerpiece concept featuring two floating roses, a single floating candle and a seabed of pearls. Add candles around the bowl for a luminating effect as well as a circular mirror base underneath each bowl to bring depth to your display. As the seabed holds many ancient treasures, it’s fitting to use thrifted jewelry to line the bottom of your bowls! Have fun venturing beyond pearls and look for jewelry that is translucent, reflective, shimmery and glitzy for a magical effect.
Goodwill finds: Glass bowls in all shapes and sizes, floral vases, serving dishes, beads
Wooden baskets and crates
For the shabby chic-themed wedding, wooden boat centerpieces overflowing with floral arrangements are absolutely stunning. Goodwill has a variety of baskets, crates and wooden home décor that work perfectly for this concept. This tutorial teaches you how to line your baskets with floral foam, which is a critical step to keeping your flower arrangements fresh. Using plastic flowers is also a budget-friendly alternative, and Goodwill has a great selection of those.
If you’re working with fresh flowers, using a uniform floral theme across your tables will naturally tie the room together, regardless of some variation in basket color, shape and size.
Tip: Do not let handles deter you from purchasing a basket or crate that’s the perfect shape and size. Handles can be taken off with a hand tool or pair of hedge sheers.
Goodwill finds: baskets, bird cages, wired décor